For Immediate Release Contacts: Jeremy Barnes, Mazda North American Operations, 949.727.6844 Danica Laub, Mazda North American Operations, 949.727.6220 Tim Gilman, Mazda Information Bureau, 949.223.2313 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA: THE WORLD’S MOST POPULAR TWO-SEAT CONVERTIBLE SPORTS CAR Award-winning, segment-saving, world’s best – just a few phrases to describe the legendary MX-5. All-new for 2006, the MX-5 won the prestigious Japan Car of the Year and was also named a Car and Driver “10 Best”. MX-5 also is known as the car that brought the affordable, fun-to-drive, two-seat roadster segment back to life in 1989 and has continued to set sales records since, making it the world’s best-selling two-seat roadster, and cementing Mazda’s place in the annals of sports car manufacturers. As the ultimate ride for sheer driving and ownership pleasure the 2007 MX-5 Miata adds minor interior features and offers two new exterior colors. In addition, MX-5 adds a new Power Retractable Hard Top (PRHT) for 2007 (covered in separate release). Unchanged is the very essence of the “oneness of horse and rider” – the development credo of the original Miata – as elemental and as true as ever. The heart of the MX-5 remains a highly-responsive MZR-series 2.0-liter, 166- horsepower (at 6,700 rpm) powerplant (163 for A/T models). The 2007 MX-5 has a light and compact engine, featuring chain-driven double overhead camshafts, lightweight fly wheel, variable intake valve timing, electronically controlled port fuel injection and coil-on-plug ignition. Revving smoothly to its 7,000 rpm redline, the 2.0-liter engine delivers 140 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 rpm for driving exhilaration throughout the rev range. “The MX-5 stands for pure driving exhilaration, as a daily driver and as a near race- ready car,” said Tetsu Nakazawa, MX-5 vehicle line manager. “Whether simply driving up the highway to work or speeding through the turns at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, the MX-5 offers loads of sporty driving pleasure and makes an ordinary drive spectacular.” - more - 2007 MX-5 – 2 RACING DNA Mazda, of course, has a distinguished history of producing great sports cars. The first Mazda sports car to win worldwide recognition and praise was the rotary-powered Cosmo Sport launched in 1967. The RX-7, which followed in 1978, won the hearts of sports car enthusiasts and claimed many important race victories. The original MX-5 Miata, launched in 1989 as a 1990 model, revolutionized the affordable two-seat roadster market. Two years ago, Mazda’s introduction of the RX-8 redefined the boundaries of sports car design by offering spectacular performance and comfortable accommodation for four adults in one innovative sports car package. All of Mazda’s considerable expertise and passion for designing great sports cars was drawn on for the latest third-generation MX-5. UNDERPININGS SUITABLE FOR THE TRACK Too much weight is bad for athletes, and just as bad for sports cars. Weight hurts acceleration, throttle response, handling and agility. It negatively affects braking distances and fuel economy. Mazda engineers worked hard make the MX-5 light-weight – while building a roomy, safe car. Weight-saving measures include the use of an aluminum hood and trunk lid and many aluminum suspension and braking components. There is widespread use of high-strength and ultra high-strength steel in the unitary construction body, which boosts body strength while simultaneously cutting weight. The 2.0-liter engine has an aluminum block and head, and the intake manifold and cam cover are made from lightweight composite plastic. In the end, MX-5 is very light weight, yet the car is roomy for tall or large adults, and safe for everyone, thanks to its strong body and safety features (including standard side airbags and ABS anti-lock brakes for all versions). - more - 2007 MX-5 – 3 How is this combination possible? By utilizing the “gram strategy”. One of the imperatives for Mazda engineers was making every gram count by assessing the weight of the vehicle in the smallest possible increments. Under this “gram strategy” imperative, for example, the design of the rear-view mirror was simplified, thus trimming 84 grams, or 0.19 lbs. While not a surmountable difference on its own, by applying this strategy throughout every nook and cranny of the MX-5’s design, Mazda engineers were quite effective in building a light, roomier, stronger and safer sports car. Front suspension is by double wishbones, as in the best sports cars and race cars. They provide linear toe, caster, and camber changes as the wheels travel up and down. Anchor points are reinforced to provide the desired lateral stiffness and made from aluminum to reduce weight. No suspension system better relays feedback so accurately to the driver, nor induces such all-round stability. The new multilink rear suspension has long links to help linearity. Springs are coil all round, and dampers are gas-filled for more accurate wheel control on difficult and taxing roads. POWERFUL 2.0-LITER FOUR-CYLINDER ENGINE The sophisticated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine gives strong performance, has an inspiring exhaust note, and most important of all, is brilliantly responsive. It reacts to driver commands with lightning-quick reflexes, and offers progressive power delivery. Such linearity is the key to all of the MX-5’s driving controls. The MZR-series engine is shared with the engine used in MAZDA3, MAZDA5, MAZDA6, CX-7, Tribute and B-Series. The engine is mounted front mid-ship, for ideal handling balance and nimbleness. It uses an aluminum block and head for lighter weight and structural rigidity, ultimately improving performance and refinement. Chain-driven double-overhead camshafts and 16- valve breathing are used for improved revving and flexibility. Variable intake valve timing improves low-end torque and high-end power. - more - 2007 MX-5 – 4 Maximum power is 166 horsepower at 6,700 rpm (163 horsepower for A/T models). For good tractability and ease-of-driving, at least 90 percent of peak torque (140 lb-ft) is available from 2,500 rpm to the 6,700 rpm redline. (Fuel cut off is at 7,000 rpm.) Standard equipment is a close-ratio five-speed manual transmission, and a six-speed manual gearbox is available, with gear ratios close-stacked to enhance the joy of sporty driving. Short, quick shift strokes have been achieved by use of triple-cone synchros on the first four gears. “Miata-like” shift quality quickly became the benchmark for the industry when the first MX-5 launched in 1989. The third generation MX-5 takes performance feel to an entirely new level – think, and the car all-but changes gears on its own. A Sport A/T automatic transmission adds dimension to the MX-5’s personality. Six ratios are provided to improve acceleration, driving refinement and freeway comfort. Paddles mounted behind the steering wheel command upshifts while buttons positioned on the spokes are used for downshifts. Coordinating engine torque with the shift sequence, results in smooth, seamless, and fast gear changes. The Sport A/T-equipped car is a joy to drive, with gear ratios perfectly matched to the engine’s horsepower and torque output. STYLISH TWO-SEATER The design brief also was clear: To convey fun and modern styling but retain the iconic feel of the earlier generation MX-5 Miatas. MX-5’s design is based on the original, but is new in every way. The first- and second- generation MX-5 Miata exterior design is a rounded shape with a wide footprint, large-radius corners and deep side contours. On the third generation, the Coke-bottle shaped center section is eliminated. Instead, the designers have used an entirely new oval shape in which the seating area is now the widest portion of the car. It makes for a roomier, safer cockpit and yet still expresses the compact look of a lightweight sports car. - more - 2007 MX-5 – 5 Side surfacing is rounded yet taut – like the skin over a muscled body. Door mirrors continue the elliptical theme established by the original MX-5 Miata. Head and tail lamps are mounted inboard to reinforce compactness, central to the car’s design philosophy. The tail lamps combine the traditional elliptical shape from previous design generations with new, modern materials. The rounded grille opening is similar to the original MX-5 Miata, and is part of the car’s iconic shape. The front bumper is clean and aerodynamically shaped. Seat-back bars add an eye-catching detail to the rear view. Side skirts, tire-area deflectors and the front spoiler are designed to control airflow under the body and along its sides, minimizing drag. The soft top provides a sporty, classic appearance with a flatter upper surface and a longer rear contour that flows smoothly into the rear deck. The lowered shape blends smoothly with surrounding body contours so well that no separate ‘tonneau’ cover is needed. The Z-fold design makes erecting and folding the roof even easier. It uses a simple, central latch handle. New for 2007 is a Power Retractable Hard Top model (covered in a separate release). This addition to the lineup builds on the soft-top two-seater’s zest for life by enhancing year-round comfort and security. Opening and closing cycles last only 12 seconds, making this the fastest power-operated retractable hard top in the U.S. In addition, two new exterior colors are available for 2007 – Stormy Blue Metallic and Highland Green.